From LaBelle, Florida for Hendry and Glades County and the Lake Okeechobee region. Don Browne, editor.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Glades County Schedules Tax Rate Meeting

Will Taxes Be Increased This Year?

MOORE HAVEN, FL. -- The Glades County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing and special meeting on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at 9:00 AM in the County Commissioners Chambers, Glades County Courthouse, Moore Haven, Florida. The purpose of the public hearing is to adopt the proposed millage rate on real estate for the year as well as adopt the current year "rolled-back rate" which is the calculation that compares the actual tax income from the real estate taxes with the millage rate that would keep the taxes the same as last year. The rolled back rate this year can be a rate lower than last year if property tax values have increased.

When property values increase, the county governments can lower the millage rate and still receive the same income. Governments typically don't want to admit that their "proposed millage rate" will result in income from taxes higher each year, that is taxes are raised, but instead like to tell the public that they "kept the millage rate the same" or even "lowered" the millage rate, which is misleading. Hence, state law mandates that the "rolled-back rate" be disclosed, often in the fine print on government publications.

The Commission will also adopt the millage rate for the MSTU for Law Enforcement at this meeting and schedule the next budget hearing. Written comments received prior to the hearing shall be considered. Direct written comments to: Chairman, Glades County Board of County Commissioners, Post Office Box 10, Moore Haven, Florida 33471.